Trying hard to follow guideline #1, but someone just told me they bought a pair of these: shop.gear4rocks.com/en/ice-sno... Thoughts? Experience? Reviews? Aside from the obvious, wouldn't any sort of fall wedge your fingers into that sharp spot at the bottom?

Wow, those things look awesome. I would so love to show up at Ouray with a pair of those just to see the kinds of looks I'd get. Come to think of it, I might just have to spend $5 and make a pair for myself.

As amusing as it may be to make fun on them, not everywhere has the disposable income and amount of big-name equipment available that we have here in the US. Sure, those ice axes are a bit ghetto. But what's wrong with the hangers? Do a bit of traveling in less-frequented places and you'll be wishing you had hangers so nice....

As amusing as it may be to make fun on them, not everywhere has the disposable income and amount of big-name equipment available that we have here in the US. Sure, those ice axes are a bit ghetto. But what's wrong with the hangers? Do a bit of traveling in less-frequented places and you'll be wishing you had hangers so nice....

The entire point of ice climbing is to outspend every other sport on the planet. You win when you have ice tools more valuable than your house.

Trying hard to follow guideline #1, but someone just told me they bought a pair of these: shop.gear4rocks.com/en/ice-sno... Thoughts? Experience? Reviews? Aside from the obvious, wouldn't any sort of fall wedge your fingers into that sharp spot at the bottom?

Not exactly a new design. Sort of reminiscent of the old MSR "Ice Hawks", minus the fluke. Never owned them. I think you were supposed to use them with stirrups for your feet, too.